Probably the strongest argument for teachers writing is for what they can learn about themselves as writers. Can you relate to any of the lessons below (taken from another Gillespie article) from your own experience as a writer? Choose one or more and explain why this might be important for your future students to know.
1. I know if I don't write daily, I lose a lot of steam.
2. I know that writings I am forced to do (such as reports for work) are harder to sustain and less gratifying to complete than writings I choose to do (such as this article).
3. I know that writing takes time. I can't finish pieces quickly. I work, get a burst of energy, come to a dead end . . .
4. I know that I often discover what I'm going to write as I write, that I often surprise myself with a new insight or image or idea.
5. I know I never think about mechanics during the early drafts.
6. I know I am a better writer for the responses I get to my early drafts from conversations with my wife, friends and colleagues.
7. I know I don't like vague written comments on my writing, like a rejection slip I recently collected. It only said that the work had promise and I should try again, but sorry this time.
Probably the strongest argument for teachers writing is for what they can learn about themselves as writers. Can you relate to any of the lessons below (taken from another Gillespie article) from your own experience as a writer? Choose one or more and explain why this might be important for your future students to know.
1. I know if I don't write daily, I lose a lot of steam.
2. I know that writings I am forced to do (such as reports for work) are harder to sustain and less gratifying to complete than writings I choose to do (such as this article).
3. I know that writing takes time. I can't finish pieces quickly. I work, get a burst of energy, come to a dead end . . .
4. I know that I often discover what I'm going to write as I write, that I often surprise myself with a new insight or image or idea.
5. I know I never think about mechanics during the early drafts.
6. I know I am a better writer for the responses I get to my early drafts from conversations with my wife, friends and colleagues.
7. I know I don't like vague written comments on my writing, like a rejection slip I recently collected. It only said that the work had promise and I should try again, but sorry this time.